Picks and Pans Review: Resigned

Yearning for more snap and crackling intelligence in your pop? With his slightly weathered voice and enough memorable hooks to keep you hanging on his words long after the music ends, Penn (actor Sean’s big brother) may offer what you crave. In contrast to the bulk of his singer-songwriter peers, Penn puts equal emphasis on both confessional content and entertainment value. But unlike, say, Matthew Sweet on his recent albums, Penn doesn’t knock himself out trying to be likable. While nothing on Resigned boasts the brilliant melodic punch of “No Myth,” Penn’s 1990 breakout single, the tragicomic “Me Around” and the power poppy “Like Egypt Was,” in particular, are far catchier than their opaque titles suggest. (57/Epic)